Spring structure



Oct. 25, 1932. c. s. REED SPRING STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 11, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l M T Q"? 5 ""1 Patented Oct. 25, 1932 UNITED f STATES.

PATENT OFFICE" CLAIR S. REED, O13 JACKSON, -MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO REYNOLDS SPRING- COMPANY,

OIE JACKSON, MICHIGAN spams STRUCTURE Application filed January. 11, 1930. SerialNo. 420,232;

This invention relates to spring structures. In spring structures, as now generallyconstructed, particularly for automobile seats, it is the practice to employ one or more diagonal stays adapted to brace the struc-- ture, the diagonal stays extending downwardly from the front of the upper frame to the rearof the lower or base frame, and connected at their ends to the respective frames so as to stay or brace the structure. Sometimes, the clip connection between the stays and the frames, particularly the upper frame, loosen with the result that incident to pressures on the structure the loosened end of the stay slips from the frame, projecting forwardly, puncturing the upholstery, such injury to the upholstering material being a fatal defect in the goods, aside from the unsightly appearance of the jagged or other hole made by the slipping stay.

This same defect or injury to the upholstering material results from loosened horizontal stay wires used to connect the front and rear sides of the upper frame.

Therefore, it is one object of the invention to provide a stay for spring structures comprising a bodyhaving one end bent into such a form as to have an embracing relation with the front of the structure so as to prevent accidental projection of the stay beyond the front of the structure and through the upholstering material in the event that the fastening connection between the stay and the frame at the front should work loose.

Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and set forth in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line. 2-2 of Fig. .1."

, Fig. 3 is a similar View on the line 3' 3 of Fig. 1." I v Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the forward end of the stay.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of a modified form of hook at the rear end of the stay.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the reference character 1 indicates a U-shaped or other type of base frame and 2 designates an upperframe, of wire or other suitable material, the character 3 indicating springs of any suitable type arranged betweenthe frames and supported on suitable supports 4 in any well. known manner. I

One or more diagonal stays 5 are preferably employed in the structure, the same extending downwardly and rearwardly from the upper frame to the base frame and where the base frame is U-shaped, as illustrated, the lower end of the stay is deflected laterally, as at 6, and fitted in the groove of the U- shaped base frame and pinched therein in any well known manner.

The front end of the diagonal stay 5 is of peculiar formation, the same taking a hook form, as shown. In other words, the front end of the body of the stay extends under theupper frame 1 in spaced relation thereto and it is then curved upwardly and rearwardly, as at 7, into engagement with the inner side'of the upper frame and it is thence curved forwardly and outwardly as at 8, forming in effect an S-shape, with this hooked or S-shaped front end of the stay 5 being provided with a relatively short lateral extension 9 which lies directly upon the upper surface of the upper frame'Q and which at its extremity is bent as indicated at 10. A clip 11 embraces the lateral extension 9 and the upper frame 1 between the S-' shaped hook andsaid bent end 10 of the lateral extension 9, whereby to firmly secure the front end of the stay 5. to the upper frame and in such a manner as to prevent a forward slipping of the stay 5 to obviate any danger of accidental slippage and projection of the stay through the upholstering material in the event of loosening. of -theclip 11 connection between the stay and the upper frame.

The upper part of the S-shaped formation of the hooked front end of the stay 5 forms and through the upholstery material.

WVhile the particular arrangement of the front upper edge of the structure is more or less immaterial, it will be noted that there is an overhanging formation at the upper edge of the structure, the front of the upper edge extending beyond the front of the base frame. It will also be noted that there is a wire 12 extending along the front of the upper portion of the structure and secured at itsiends by means of clips 13 to the ends of theupper frame, this wire 12 being provided with kinks 14 which are secured to the front of the upper frame by means of suitable clips 15.

The construction of the forward end of the diagonal stay 5 is applicable as well to a horizontal stay, that is, a stay extending from the front of the upper frame to the rear of the upper frame, as indicated at 16, wherein the front end of the stay 16 is formed the same as the front end of the diagonal stay 5. The rear end of this horizontal stay 16 is provided with a lateral projection 17 which at its free end is formed into a hook 18, there being a clip 19 adapted to secure the rear end of the horizontal stay 16 to the rear of the upper frame.

It will be manifest that by virtue of the peculiar formation of the front ends of either type of stay in the event of looseness of connection between the stays and the front of the upper frame, these stays are prevented from slipping over and beyond the front of the upper frame, obviating all possibility of puncturing o-f upholstery material. Other types of stays may be employed and provided with the hook or S-shaped form of ends described, and obviously both ends of stays may be formed alike, that is, both ends provided with the S-shaped type of hook where connections are made with wire frames, notwithstanding the fact that the main purpose of the invention is to prevent the projection of the stay wires through the front upholstery in the event of loose connections. I

The form of hooked rear end of either of the stays described is shown in Fig. 5, where in the stay 20 has a. lateral projection 21 lying on top the frame wire 22 and terminating in a C-shape as at 23, to partially embrace or receive the frame wire and prevent accidental forwardv projection of the stay through the upholstery material in the same manner as is accomplished in the use of the S-shaped formation of book.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I provide a stay for use in spring structures which will effectually brace the structure and be connected therewith in such a manner at its forward ends in particular as to prevent danger of the stay being projected through the front upholstery material in the event of accidental looseness of the connection between the stay and the front of the frame.

What is claimed is 1. A. diagonal stay wire for spring structures adapted to extend downwardlyfrom the upper frame at one side of the lower frame at the opposite side and provided at the'upper forward end with an upwardly projecting I substantially S-shaped hook portion arranged to partially embrace the upper frame at the inner side. of the latter, said hook shaped portion having a relatively short laterally directed portion to lie upon the upper frame and bent inwardly to partially embrace said frame at its free extremity, a clip adapted to embrace the said laterally directed portion and the upper frame between said hook shaped portion and the bent end of the laterally directed portion so as to secure said upper end of the stay to the upper frame, and means for securing the opposite lower end of the stay to the lower frame.

2. A diagonal stay Wire for spring struc- L tures adapted to extend downwardly from the upper frame at one side to the lower frame at the opposite side and provided at the upper forward end with an upwardly projecting S-shaped hook, having the lower portion 7 of the S-shaped formation projecting slightly in advance of the upper frame and lying under the upper frame and having the upper portion of the S-formation partially embracing the upper frame at the inner side and top portion'of the upper frame, said S-shaped hook having a relatively short laterally directed extension adapted to lie on the top portion of the upper frame and at its free end bent downwardly against the inner side of the upper frame, means embracing said laterally directed portion of the stay and the upper frame between the S-formation and said bent end of the laterally directed portion so as to secure the upper end of the stay to the upper frame, and means for securing the opposite end of the stay to the lower frame.

3. A stay wire for spring structures com prising a body portion having one end formed into substantially S-shaped formation, the S-shaped formation having a relatively short lateral extension terminating in a downward ly and outwardly directed portion disposed substantially in a plane parallel with the plane of the S-shaped formation and of a shorter length than the length of said laterally directed extension.

7 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 7th'day of January, 1930.

CLAIR S. REED. 

